How To Balance Hybrid Work, Collaboration, And Employee Wellbeing

Shedding excess is the name of the game for the world’s largest companies as the economy dips its toes into a recession. 

With this comes another shift in the future of work: employees desiring more fulfillment from their work, jobs becoming sparse in some industries, and skills gaps are leaving others struggling to fill in job vacancies. 

But more than just the economy is impacting the modern workplace. For instance, Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trends Index showed that 53% of workers are increasingly likely to prioritize their wellbeing over work, while 475 said their family and personal lives are top priority. 

This shift in sentiment means one thing: if employees cannot achieve a healthy work-life balance in their positions, they are willing to find a job that allows them to. 

However, with this transition comes its own obstacles. While many professionals have supported the embrace of hybrid and remote working, these arrangements can become chaotic without the proper planning.   

It’s up to business leaders to identify how exactly to make these policies work for their particular company.  

Does the business require frequent collaboration? Then having a dedicated office to bring workers together will be necessary. Are there meetings that require a fraction of usual attendees? Give those employees that hour to focus on personal work from their preferred work setting.   

By doing so, employees can effectively get their work done at a reasonable time, avoid burnout, and maintain social interaction at a healthy level.   

Outlining exactly what employees need from their work environment is the ultimate factor that can make or break a workplace. For some, this may require traditional offices that are well-known by most, while others may fare better incorporating a network of flexible offices near workers’ homes.